Orr seizes share of second in European

Published on Monday 1 June 2009 00:18

GARY ORR secured his best finish on the European Tour in four years last night as he shared second place in the European Open at the London club in Kent.

The 42-year-old from Helensburgh, who was joint runner-up in the Madeira Islands Open of 2005, signed off with a one-under 71 for a six-under 282 to come in just a shot behind Frenchman Christian Cevaer who held on for victory despite closing with a 74 for 281.

Orr, a two-time winner on the tour in 2000, finished alongside England's Steve Webster and Alvaro Quiros of Spain, and pocketed almost 134,000 which lifted him to No72 on the Race to Dubai rankings.

Dunbar's David Drysdale also carded a final-round 71 to share 13th on 286, while Aberdeen's Richie Ramsay tied for 18th on 288 to bank 20,400, his biggest cheque of the season.

Greenock rookie Chris Doak came in on the 290 mark, with Steven O'Hara and former Open champion Paul Lawrie two shots back on 292.

European Ryder Cup skipper Colin Montgomerie slipped down to 55th with a closing 75 for 293 while Tulliallan's Callum Macaulay struggled to an 81 for 295.

But after an amazing weekend which saw no fewer than 45 changes of the lead, the big surprise was the name of the winner, a 39-year-old Frenchman, whose only previous Tour victory was the 2004 Spanish Open.

His seven-under-par total of 281 was 13 strokes more than Ross Fisher took on the same London Club course last year – and his 74 was the highest last round by a winner all season.

"I'm not a long player, but I used my utility club and it worked out great," he said after being showered with champagne.

"I made a point that no matter what happened, just enjoy my golf, enjoy my skills and hang in there."

He played the front nine in 39 and did not have a birdie until the long 15th, but the problems of others – notably at the 471-yard last – meant that he was returned into a share of top spot.

Three closing pars were then good enough to give him the 300,000 first prize – easily the biggest of his 16-year professional career.